FINAL FLIGHT

Guest Author - Gary King

I received permission to pass the following on to you. It was written by Gary Blied, Major, USAF, Ret., who is a pilot for American Airlines. The American people need to hear about things like this and to know that there are many individuals and firms out there who honor and respect our fallen troops. The news media falls short when it comes to honoring and respecting our troops and like to publish news of the violence and how wrong we are to be in Iraq and elsewhere. The following not only brought tears to my eyes, but also made me proud, not only to be an American, but to know that we have men of the caliber of Gary Blied flying aircraft for American Airlines.

We were informed at the gate that the remains of Msgt. Shawn Richardson would shortly be loaded on our flight for the trip to Miami. He was a 17-year veteran of the United States Air Force and had been killed in the service of our country. I went down onto the ramp and found the long box appropriately stationed off to the side in a luggage cart. The curtains on the cart were pulled. It was my honor to spend a few moments in prayer with him.

The Captain and I finished our preflight duties and then went back onto the ramp and checked in with the Crew Chiefs to observe the loading of Msgt. Richardson. We departed almost an hour late due to our late arrival into Chicago.

We called for push and it was granted immediately. Normally, there's a wait. We called ground for taxi and again, granted immediately. Normally, there's a wait. We were cleared onto the runway and for an immediate takeoff. Passing through about twenty-five thousand feet, we were further cleared direct OMN (Ormond Beach), which is the first fix on the arrival into Miami. That's basically a thousand mile straight line and the most direct clearance I've ever received to Miami. Not a word was ever said--but people were watching out for us.

The flight to and landing in Miami were uneventful, until we went to turn off the runway. The tower asked us to proceed a little further down where an escort was waiting for us. We did as instructed and a Miami Dade Police cruiser met us on the taxiway. He escorted our American Airlines Boeing 757 to the D terminal. The entire north ramp had bene cleared of all aircraft. I'd never seen that either.

As we approached the ramp, we noticed the lights. There were at least a half dozen fire trucks, no less than 15 police cars and countless other vehicles. They were all parked in rows with their lights flashing. As we taxied our aircraft to the gate, the fire trucks saluted our arrival with crossed streams of water shooting over the aircraft. My first seven years of service were in the Air Force Crash Fire Rescue Department so I know there is no higher salute from the fire department.

We parked the aircraft and shut down. After our checklists, Captain Jeff Wallace and I went down to the ramp level and observed the unpacking of the casket, then the dressing with a flag. It was accepted by the bearer team, which was comprised of members of the Miami Dade Police Department and Air Force Honor Guard.

After the "present arms" order (when all military and former military render salutes and civilians put their hands over their hearts) and the "order arms" order, when the salutes were finished, I noticed our jet. As I looked up from the ramp level, I saw a somber face in every window. Not one of our passengers had moved until our fallen soldier had departed the aircraft.

When the procession left the airport, there were two cruisers in front of the hearse and I have no idea how many behind. It was worthy of a presidential motorcade and a fitting and probably all-too-uncommon show of love and respect for one of our fallen.

And in case I haven't mentioned this previously--it was 1:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning and we were almost two hours late. Our reception had probably been waiting for hours and I would bet that most of the people on our ramp were not on the clock.

Every now and then you see it: the silent majority that makes this country the best in the world. I was so proud that night. Proud that my fellow citizens on every level worked to get Msgt. Richardson to his final repose. Proud of all the people who showed up on the ramp late that Saturday night and waited hours into Sunday morning to show their respect. Proud of our passengers and the fact that they recognized a greater purpose than getting off the jet. And proud that my company, American Airlines, knows how to handle this situation with humility and honor.

As you go through your day, remember that there are thousands of men and women overseas in the service of our country, far from home and in dangers way. Please remember that they have families back here who live every day in fear of the phone call or official visit with the news that their worst nightmare has come true.

Be thankful for their efforts and if you know someone who is in the service--get their address from their family and write them and thank them. It's the least you can do.

I am proud of the fact that Gary Blied responded to my request to use this and for his attitude and service. He is exemplary of the kind of people we have in this nation who are standing up to be counted for our troops, for freedom, and for all of us. God Bless you Gary and we wish you well on all your flights.

This particular entry or article on this Veterans Web Site at Bella Online is dedicated to all our troops serving this nation at this time, to those who have fallen in the performance of their duties, and to the families of both and the sacrifices they are making for this nation.